Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Altar

A three-tiered altar, very colourful, with decorations all across it. On display in the corner of a museum, taking up the entire wall; it is big, colourful and impressive, inviting you in for fun.

ARCHIVED EVENT

27 October to 5 November 2023 (during opening hours)

The Andrews Gallery, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology 

Free, booking not required

About the event

Our Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar is back! Located on the second floor we are once again delighted to host the altar, which is created by the University of Cambridge Mexican Society. Entry to the museum is free, so why not drop by and take a look.

We will also be offering free drop-in family craft sessions on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October (10am-5pm) and Sunday 29 October (12pm-5pm).

Learn more>>

What is Día de Muertos?

Día de Muertos, often referred to as the Day of the Dead, has been celebrated for at least 3000 years. It brings together elements of Aztec and Maya religions as well as Catholicism (brought to Mexico by the Spanish). 

For Mexicans everywhere, the Day of the Dead is a time for remembering relatives, friends and ancestors in a lighter way, with the emphasis on laughter and music, rather than sorrow and fear. The colourful tradition reflects the belief that we are not truly dead until there is no one alive to remember us.

The celebrations start around the 28 October, reaching their peak on the 2 November. A key part of the festival's building an altar in the most important area of the house. The whole family takes part in decorating the altar to honour a deceased relative. Usually, altars have three levels - to represent the sky, the earth, and the underworld.

The middle and top tier of a Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar. It is decorated with flowers, food, skeletons, skulls, a religious statue (possibly the Virgin Mary) and a couple of black and white photos of the deceased whom the altar honours.

About the altar and offerings (ofrendas)

Mexicans believe that the spirit of the deceased person returns during the Day of the Dead to enjoy what they most enjoyed in life, so special attention is given to decorating the altar.

The lowest level of the altar symbolises the underworld and is the first to be arranged. Flowers, candles, and wood dust shapes make a trail to guide the deceased soul to the altar.

The second level represents the world of the living, and this is where the objects that the person used or enjoyed are placed. Common items include games, musical instruments, clothes, food, bread, drink, and sweets. The food is placed in baskets and pots.

The third level represents the sky and the spiritual level. A picture of the deceased is placed here along with a glass of water and a cross made of salt or ashes. This year, the Mexican Society have dedicated the altar to environmental activists Dorothy Mae Stang andHomero Gómez González.